Welcome to the official CQUniversity Student Blog – CQUniLife. This blog follows the experiences of a diverse group of CQUniversity students from different countries, studying various programs and at various campuses throughout Australia.

For many years, I had thought about a career change and studying at university but I never pursued this dream because I believed I did not have the skills or knowledge I would need to study. I also lacked confidence in myself. This changed when my sister, who was also considering university study, told me about STEPS.

Through STEPS I have gained the skills and knowledge I needed to begin undergraduate studies. I have learnt research and study skills, computer skills, my learning style, how to prepare for oral presentations, stress management skills, goal setting skills, basic grammar and essay writing skills and the list goes on. The confidence I have in myself has increased and I now believe that my dream is possible.

My favourite course in STEPS was Positive Learning for University. It was not a compulsory course I needed to gain direct entry into my undergraduate studies but one I elected to do. What I have learnt will not only benefit my time at university but also my work and home life. One of the most memorable things about this course was my final assessment. We had a choice of three options and I chose the Random Acts of Kindness topic. A part of the assignment was to participate in a planned act of kindness. I went to my local grocery complex and placed up-lifting messages on the mirror of the ladies toilets and a note with change for someone to have a go on the claw machine with the thought of hopefully making a stranger smile. I never expected to find out whether I had any impact on anyone’s day but my act ended up on the local radio station’s Facebook page. It felt amazing knowing that a simple act had a positive effect on someone.

I am grateful to CQUniversity for offering the STEPS program. There are many benefits of STEPS: it is free, you gain direct entry into the undergraduate studies you wish to pursue (for those programs where direct entry is available), it gives you an introduction to Uni life, and the skills, knowledge and confidence you gain are invaluable. Another benefit is the flexibility and the ways in which you can choose to study. I work full-time so I am able to study part-time by distance education. I would recommend STEPS to anyone contemplating university study. It has changed my life.

Term 3, 2016 applications are currently open to study STEPS by distance education. Applications close Monday, 10 October 2016. For more information, visit www.cqu.edu.au/steps or phone 13 27 86.

Thinking about further study, but don’t know where to start? Join us at Open Days 2016 to get the answers to your questions. Visit www.cqu.edu.au/opendays.